Gluco and galacto-oligosaccharides in food: update on health effects and relevance in healthy nutrition

Purpose of reviewMuch of the recent research literature in the field of prebiotics is on galacto-oligosaccharides. Gluco-oligosaccharides represent an interesting emerging class of candidate prebiotics.Recent findingsRecent research on galacto-oligosaccharides has shown that these can have a positive impact on immunity, calcium absorption and markers of metabolic syndrome. The fact that galacto-oligosaccharides and gluco-oligosaccharides are enzymatically manufactured means that novel forms have been produced, and preliminary evaluation looks to be encouraging.SummaryGalacto-oligosaccharides are rapidly gaining an impressive weight of evidence for health effects in humans. The field will generate novel molecules, which may be considered as prebiotics in the future.